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The Zambia Police Service has recorded two separate incidents in North-Western Province that left a six-month-old infant dead in a house fire and a 43-year-old woman murdered, according to a statement issued September 9, 2026.
In Solwezi, the incident occurred in Kyawama Compound between the night of September 7 and the early hours of September 8.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Police Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said Kyawama Police Station received a report at around 09:30 hours on September 8 concerning the death of six-month-old Mapesho Chikumba.
Chilabi said the report was made by his father, James Chikumba, 37, of Mitech area.
Preliminary investigations indicate the child’s mother, Christine Welele, 30, left the house around 22:00 hours on September 7 and at the time, three children were inside without adult care.
Chilabi said the fire was believed to have started in the bedroom before spreading.
“The two older children, aged 13 and seven, managed to escape from the burning house, while the six-month-old infant could not be rescued,” he said.
The infant was found inside the house lying on a bed with severe burn injuries and Police officers and firefighters attended the scene where the child was confirmed dead.
“The child’s body was removed from the scene and deposited at Solwezi General Hospital mortuary, awaiting a postmortem examination,” Chilabi stated.
Welele has been detained in police custody to facilitate investigations. An inquiry file has been opened and investigations are ongoing.
In Kalumbila, police recorded a murder case involving Nsoche Zulu, 43, of Kalumbila Housing, in a matter reported on September 7, 2026 around 19:30 hours by the deceased’s 42-year-old female workmate.
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“The incident is believed to have occurred between 17:00 hours on September 6, 2026, and 19:00 hours on September 7, 2026, at the deceased’s residence in Kalumbila Housing,” he said.
Preliminary investigations indicate the deceased’s male acquaintance, Andrew Sinyenga, believed to be from Lusaka, had travelled to Kalumbila to visit her.
Chilabi said the two were last seen together on September 6 returning from the market.
“The Zambia Police Service is appealing to anyone with information that may assist in locating Sinyenga to report to the nearest police station or contact the police on 9010 or 9011,” he said.
Chilabi added that Sinyenga has not yet been located and efforts to apprehend him have been intensified.
Zulu’s body was deposited at Wumi Mini-Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem examination.
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